Prefailure monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A system includes an energy storage system having a plurality of batteries and a monitoring system operably coupled to the energy storage system. The monitoring system is configured to receive a first measurement corresponding to a characteristic from at least one of the plurality of batteries, determine a baseline from the first measurement, receive a second measurement from the at least one of the plurality of batteries, and compare the second measurement with the baseline to identify an issue with the at least one of the plurality of batteries. The monitoring system is also configured to perform a remediation action in response to the identified issue.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/406,590, filed on Oct. 11, 2016, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of thereader. None of the information provided or references cited is admittedto be prior art. Some systems, such as energy storage systems, includesensors for monitoring equipment (e.g., batteries). Such systems mayinclude alarm levels if the conditions of the equipment are above (orbelow) an alarm level. For example, if lithium ion batteries are heatedto a temperature of above about 135° Fahrenheit, the batteries maybecome dangerous.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, a system isdisclosed. The system includes an energy storage system having aplurality of batteries and a monitoring system operably coupled to theenergy storage system. The monitoring system is configured to receive afirst measurement corresponding to a characteristic from at least one ofthe plurality of batteries, determine a baseline from the firstmeasurement, receive a second measurement from the at least one of theplurality of batteries, and compare the second measurement with thebaseline to identify an issue with the at least one of the plurality ofbatteries. The monitoring system is also configured to perform aremediation action in response to the identified issue.

In accordance with some other aspects of the present disclosure, amethod is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by a monitoringsystem, a plurality of first measurements corresponding to acharacteristic from each of a plurality of batteries, determining, bythe monitoring system, a baseline from the plurality of firstmeasurements for the characteristic for each of the plurality ofbatteries, and receiving, by the monitoring system, a second measurementcorresponding to the characteristic from each of the plurality ofbatteries. The method also includes comparing, by the monitoring system,the second measurement with the baseline, identifying, by the monitoringsystem, an issue with one or more of the plurality of batteries basedupon the comparison, and taking, by the monitoring system, a remediationaction, to address the issue.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, amonitoring system is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a memoryconfigured to store a plurality of baseline values and a processoroperably connected to the memory. The processor is configured to receivea plurality of first measurement values corresponding to acharacteristic from at least one of the plurality of batteries,determine a baseline value from the plurality of first measurementvalues, and store the baseline value in the memory. The processor isalso configured to receive a second measurement value from the at leastone of the plurality of batteries, compare the second measurement valuewith the baseline value to identify an issue with the at least one ofthe plurality of batteries, and in response to the identified issue,perform a remediation action.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the following drawings and thedetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system monitoring systemin accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring an energy storagesystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a livestock monitoring system in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Some systems include sensors that monitor the status of variousequipment. For example, a battery system may include temperature probesthat monitor the temperature of the batteries. In another example,motors in an industrial factory may include vibration monitors tomonitor the status of the motor. Such systems may include alarm levelsthat indicate that a problem exists. For example, it can be determinedthat if a battery temperature exceeds 150° Fahrenheit, the batteryshould stop being used because it has a malfunction. Various embodimentsdescribed herein monitor the status of the various equipment anddetermine whether the equipment deviates from its normal conditions.Further, the various embodiments described herein gather various typesof information from the equipment being monitored to identify whatconstitutes a “normal condition” for that particular equipment. If theequipment does deviate from its normal conditions (e.g., the temperatureof the battery rises from its normal temperature), various embodimentsdescribed herein predict that an issue exists and can notify appropriatepersonnel before the problem causes an accident or an unintentionalshutdown. Notifications may be sent on a mobile device or another deviceassociated with the personnel. Notifications may additionally oralternatively include visual, audible, or any other type of alarm thatmay be considered suitable.

Thus, in some embodiments, the present disclosure includes an energystorage system that has a plurality of batteries and a plurality ofsensors configured to monitor a characteristic of the batteries. Thesystem also includes a climate control system that includes a fanconfigured to circulate air around the energy storage system and aprocessor operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and theclimate control system. The processor is configured to receive, from theplurality of sensors, a plurality of baseline measurements of thecharacteristic for each of the batteries and determine, from theplurality of baseline measurements, a baseline characteristic for eachof the batteries. The processor is also configured to receive, from theplurality of sensors, a plurality of current measurements of thecharacteristic for each of the batteries and determine, by comparing theplurality of current measurements to the baseline characteristic foreach of the batteries, that the current measurements of a first batteryhave deviated from the baseline characteristic. The processor is furtherconfigured to cause, based on the determination that the currentmeasurements of the first battery have deviated from the baselinecharacteristic, the climate control system to circulate air around theenergy storage system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system monitoring systemin accordance with an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 1 includes an energystorage system (ESS) 105, a climate control system 120, a monitoringsystem 145, a fire control system 150, and a building management system155. The ESS 105 includes a plurality of batteries 110 and a controller115. The climate control system 120 includes a controller 125, a coolingsystem 130, a fan 135, and a heating system 140. In alternativeembodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different elements may be used.For example, although the ESS 105, the climate control system 120, themonitoring system 145, the fire control system 150, and the buildingmanagement system 155 are shown as separate systems, in alternativeembodiments, two or more of the systems can be combined.

The ESS 105 can be, for example, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS)that is a backup power system. In such an example, the ESS 105 storesenergy from a power source, such as a power grid. In an illustrativeembodiment, the power source is used to power equipment such ascomputers, motors, valves, sensors, lights, medical equipment,commercial equipment, industrial equipment, etc. The controller 115 canmonitor the energy from the power source. If the power source fails toprovide energy to the equipment (e.g., the voltage and/or the amperageof the power source drops below a threshold value), the controller 115can cause one or more of the batteries 110 to discharge and supplementthe power source. In such an example, the equipment powered by the powersource is not affected by a lack of power even though the power sourcefailed.

In an illustrative embodiment, although not shown, the ESS 105 includesa plurality of switches to selectively charge, discharge, or disconnectthe plurality of batteries 110 from the power source. For example, tocharge one or more of the plurality of batteries 110, the controller 115can cause switches to electrically connect the plurality of batteriesthat are to be charged to the power source. In embodiments in which thepower source is grid power or another alternating current (AC) powersource, the ESS 105 can include a power rectifier and/or an inverter(e.g., an AC-to-direct current (DC) converter and/or a DC-to-ACconverter). In another example, to discharge one or more of theplurality of batteries 110 (e.g., power the load), the controller 115can cause the switches to electrically connect the plurality ofbatteries that are to be discharged to the load. In yet another example,if one or more of the plurality of batteries 110 are charged and thepower source is suitably providing power to the load, the controller 115can cause those plurality of batteries to be electrically disconnectedfrom the power source and the load.

In an illustrative embodiment, the plurality of batteries 110 arelithium ion batteries. In alternative embodiments, one or more of theplurality of batteries 110 can be any other suitable type of batterysuch as lead acid (e.g., a valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery),carbon zinc-acidic manganese dioxide, and/or zinc alkaline manganesedioxide. In embodiments in which the plurality of batteries 110 arelithium ion batteries, each of the plurality of batteries can be buttonor coin cell batteries. In alternative embodiments, any suitable size ofthe plurality of batteries 110 can be used. Furthermore, the pluralityof batteries 110 need not all be of the same type. Rather, various typesof batteries, as discussed herein, can be provided within the ESS 105 toform the plurality of batteries 110.

Additionally, the plurality of batteries 110 can be arranged in anysuitable manner. For example, multiple ones of the plurality ofbatteries 110 can be placed in series with one another to form a stackof batteries. The voltage across the stack of batteries is the sum ofthe voltages of the individual batteries in the stack. In someembodiments, the plurality of batteries 110 can be configured in aparallel manner such that the voltage across the plurality of batteriesconnected in parallel is the voltage of the individual batteries, butthat the amperage capacity of the batteries is the sum of amperagecapacity of the individual batteries connected in parallel. In someembodiments, multiple stacks of batteries can be formed from theplurality of batteries 110 and wired in parallel and/or series with oneanother. The number of the plurality of batteries 110 in each stack andthe number of stacks used can be determined based on the load that ESS105 is designed to power.

In an illustrative embodiment, the controller 115 is in communicationwith one or more sensors 160. For example, the ESS 105 can include atemperature sensor for each of the plurality of batteries 110 and/oreach stack of the plurality of batteries. In another example, the ESS105 can include a temperature sensor for each of the plurality ofbatteries 110 and/or each stack of the plurality of batteries. In anillustrative embodiment, the ESS 105 can include voltage sensors thatsense the voltage of each of the plurality of batteries 110. Inalternative embodiments, the ESS 105 includes voltage sensors that sensethe voltage of each stack of the plurality of batteries 110. In anillustrative embodiment, the ESS 105 can include current sensors thatsense the current of each of the plurality of batteries 110. Inalternative embodiments, the ESS 105 includes current sensors that sensethe current of each stack of the plurality of batteries 110. In yetother embodiments, other types of sensors can be provided based upon thecondition that is to be monitored.

In some instances, the plurality of batteries 110 have operatingconditions which, if exceeded, can reduce the performance of thosebatteries. For example, if lithium ion batteries exceed about 135°Fahrenheit (F), the batteries can outgas. Likewise, liquid within thelithium ion batteries can boil and build up pressure within the cell.The gas within the cell can be vented from the cell, thereby outgassing.In some instances, if the cells cannot vent the gas fast enough, thecells can burst or explode. For example, if the cells cannot vent thegas fast enough, the reaction within the cell can increase, resulting inthermal runaway. That is, as the temperature inside the cell increases,an exothermic reaction increases, thereby increasing the rate of thereaction. If the heat cannot escape to keep the cell cool (e.g., byventing), the reaction continues to increase until the battery fails(e.g., breaks, bursts, explodes, etc.).

The gases vented by the plurality of batteries 110 can be harmful tohumans. For example, the gases from the outgassing of the plurality ofbatteries 110 can be toxic or explosive. In an illustrative embodiment,the temperature (or any other suitable characteristic) of the pluralityof batteries 110 can be monitored to determine whether one or more ofthe plurality of batteries are (or may be) outgassing. In anillustrative embodiment, the system 100 includes one or more airmonitors (e.g., that can be provided as part of or separate from the oneor more sensors 160) that monitor for the chemicals released by theplurality of batteries 110 to determine that the plurality of batteriesare outgassing and/or that dangerous conditions exist. The monitoredgases can include methane, ethane, hydrogen, oxygen, or any other toxicor explosive gas. Thus, the system 100 can be configured to monitor forair quality in the vicinity of the plurality of batteries 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a climate control system120. The climate control system 120 can be used to control theatmosphere of a room in which the ESS 105 is in. For example, the ESS105 can be located in a server room, a motor control center, atransformer room, etc. The climate control system 120 can control thetemperature and the air flow through the room that the ESS 105 is housedin. For example, the fan 135 can recirculate air within the room orintroduce fresh air into the room. The cooling system 130 can cool theair moved by the fan. Similarly, the heating system 140 can heat the airmoved by the fan. Thus, the climate control system 120 can maintain theambient temperature of the ESS 105 (and the batteries 110) at an idealtemperature for the operation of the ESS 105 (or any other suitablereason). For example, the monitoring system 145 may monitor thetemperature of the plurality of batteries 110 and compare the monitoredtemperature with a baseline characteristic. The monitoring system 145may keep monitoring the temperature of the plurality of batteries 110and keep the cooling system 145 or the heating system 140 activateduntil the monitored temperature falls within a particular threshold.

In an illustrative embodiment, the temperature, voltage, current, orother sensors of the ESS 105 are provided by a manufacturer of the ESS105. The controller 115 can monitor the status (e.g., temperature,voltage, current, etc.) of the plurality of batteries 110 and operatethe appropriate switches to maintain the plurality of batteries withinacceptable operating conditions. For example, if the temperature of aparticular one of the plurality of batteries 110 is exceeding acceptableoperating conditions during discharge of that particular battery, thecontroller 115 can electrically disconnect that battery from the load.

However, in some instances, the controller 115 is incapable ofmaintaining one or more of the plurality of the batteries 110 atacceptable operating conditions by connecting or disconnecting thebatteries from the power source or the load. For example, during thermalrunaway of a particular one of the plurality of batteries 110, thecontroller 115 may be unable to control the temperature of theparticular battery. In such an example, the monitoring system 145 can beused to notify appropriate personnel and to mitigate the danger of thethermal runaway by, for example, sounding an alarm, venting the gasproduced by the particular battery, cooling the particular battery(e.g., with a fire suppressant, foam, or other material), preventingaccess to the ESS 105, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145 is incommunication with the controller 115. For example, there may be anapplication program interface (API) between the monitoring system 145and the controller 115. The API can allow the monitoring system 145 tomonitor the one or more sensors 160 of the ESS 105. For example, themonitoring system 145 receives the temperature of each of the pluralityof batteries 110 (or each stack of the plurality of batteries 110) fromthe controller 115. The monitoring system 145 can, thus, monitor thetemperature of the plurality of batteries 110 to determine whether theplurality of batteries are within acceptable operating conditions,exceed acceptable operating conditions (e.g., begin to outgas), aredangerous (e.g., experiencing thermal runaway), or are not operatingnormally.

In an illustrative embodiment, if the monitoring system 145 determinesthat one or more of the plurality of batteries 110 are (or may be)outgassing (e.g., based on the temperature of the plurality ofbatteries), the monitoring system can operate the climate control system120 to mitigate the dangers of the outgassing. For example, themonitoring system 145 can communicate with the controller 125 of theclimate control system 120. In an illustrative embodiment, when themonitoring system 145 determines that one or more of the plurality ofbatteries 110 are outgassing, the monitoring system 145 transmits acommand to the controller 125 to turn on the fan 135. For example, thefan 135 can introduce fresh air into the room of the ESS 105 todissipate the gases vented by the plurality of batteries 110. In anillustrative embodiment, the climate control system 120 includes anexhaust vent that is in a safe location (e.g., away from people,animals, etc.). In an illustrative embodiment, the climate controlsystem 120 includes one or more filters (e.g., carbon filters) to filterout dangerous or any other suitable gases from the air. In such anembodiment, the fan 135 can recirculate air within the room with the ESS105, thereby filtering out the gases vented by the plurality ofbatteries 110.

In an illustrative embodiment, when the monitoring system 145 determinesthat one or more of the plurality of batteries 110 are overheating(e.g., exceeding acceptable operating temperatures, the monitoringsystem 145 can cause the cooling system 130 to cool the ambienttemperature of the room, thereby cooling the plurality of batteries. Inan illustrative embodiment, when the monitoring system 145 determinesthat one or more of the plurality of batteries 110 are below acceptableoperating temperatures, the monitoring system 145 can cause the heatingsystem 140 to heat the ambient temperature of the room, thereby heatingthe plurality of batteries.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145 can monitor thestatus of the plurality of batteries 110 over time to determine whetherone or more of the plurality of batteries are to be replaced or requiremaintenance. For example, the monitoring system 145 can receive voltageand amperage information for each of the plurality of batteries 110 (orstack of the plurality of batteries 110). The voltage and amperageinformation can be used to determine whether any of the plurality ofbatteries 110 or which of the plurality of batteries are over or undercharged. The monitoring system 145 can determine whether one or more ofthe plurality of batteries 110 are exceeding the maximum acceptableamperage. Thus, the monitoring system 145 monitors one or more operatingconditions of the plurality of batteries 110. To identify whether theplurality of batteries 110 are operating under normal conditions, themonitoring system 145 first establishes what constitutes normalconditions for each of the plurality of batteries.

Therefore, in an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145determines the baseline characteristic (also referred to herein as“baseline performance,” “baseline value,” or simply “baseline”) of eachof the plurality of batteries 110 (or stacks of the plurality ofbatteries). In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145determines the baseline characteristic of each of the plurality ofbatteries 110 while charging (e.g., when disconnected from the load, butconnected to the power source), while discharging (e.g., connected tothe load), and while disconnected from both the load and the powersource. Thus, for each of the plurality of batteries 110, the monitoringsystem 145 can establish multiple baseline characteristics, with eachbaseline characteristic corresponding to a particular event or mode ofoperation (e.g., charging, discharging, etc.). Furthermore, the baselinecharacteristic for each mode of operation can be based upon a particularcharacteristic of the plurality of batteries 110. The characteristicscan be temperature, current, voltage, vented gas, or any other featureof the plurality of batteries 110 that are desired to be monitored.Thus, the monitoring system 145 monitors one or more characteristics ofeach of the plurality of batteries 110 during each mode of operation toestablish one or more baseline characteristics. In other words, for eachmode of operation and for each characteristic in that mode of operation,the monitoring system 145 determines one instance of the baselinecharacteristic.

For example, in some embodiments, during two or more charging cycles ofa stack of the plurality of batteries 110, the monitoring system 145 candetermine the average characteristics of the stack of the plurality ofbatteries. The average characteristics can be, for example, an averagecurrent, an average voltage, an average temperature, etc. The averagecharacteristics can be used as the expected/baseline characteristic ofthe stack of the plurality of batteries 110 during charging. Based uponthe established baseline characteristics, the monitoring system 145 canidentify (e.g., predict) various issues that arise (or may arise)related to the plurality of batteries 110.

In an example embodiment, the monitoring system 145 can determine (e.g.,based on information received from the controller 115) an expectedamount of current (e.g., baseline characteristic) for a particular oneof the plurality of batteries 110 and an actual amount of current forthat particular battery. For example, during discharge of the particularone of the plurality of batteries 110, the monitoring system 145 candetermine that the particular battery is expected to output one Ampere(Amp). The monitoring system 145 can also determine that the particularbattery is actually outputting one quarter of an Amp. Based on thedifference between the expected output (one Amp) and the actual output(one quarter Amp), the monitoring system 145 can determine that theparticular battery is to be replaced and/or maintenance is to beperformed. For example, if the difference between the actual output ofthe particular battery and the expected output of that battery isgreater than a threshold value, the monitoring system 145 can determinethat the particular battery is not operating properly. In one example,if the actual output of the particular battery is 80% of the expectedoutput of that battery, the monitoring system 145 can determine thatmaintenance should be performed on that battery (e.g., the battery canbe replaced). In alternative embodiments, any suitable threshold limitcan be used. For example, the threshold limit can be 98%, 95%, 90%, 80%,75%, 60%, 50%, 25%, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoringsystem 145 can additionally or alternatively take environmentalconditions into consideration.

When the monitoring system 145 determines that one or more of theplurality of batteries 110 are to be replaced or maintained, themonitoring system 145 can transmit an indication of the determination.For example, the monitoring system 145 can include a display such as avideo monitor. In another example, the monitoring system 145 cantransmit the determination to a human-machine interface (HMI). Inanother example, the monitoring system 145 can transmit such adetermination to users via short message service (SMS) text messages oremail. The monitoring system 145 can, thus, send notifications on amobile device associated with a user (e.g., maintenance personnel),issue audible, visual, or tactile alarms, or send alerts in any otherway that is considered desirable.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145 is incommunication with the fire control system 150. The fire control system150 can include one or more fire monitors (e.g., smoke detectors, smokemonitors, carbon monoxide (CO) monitors, thermal imaging, etc.) thatmonitor the room with the ESS 105 for a fire. In an illustrativeembodiment, the fire control system 150 includes one or more firemonitors outside of the room that the ESS 105 is in. For example, thefire control system 150 can monitor for fires in adjacent rooms, nearbyrooms, nearby buildings, nearby areas, etc. In an illustrativeembodiment, if the monitoring system 145 determines that there is a firein and/or near the ESS 105 (e.g., by receiving such an indication fromthe fire control system 150), the monitoring system 145 can cause theESS to discharge the plurality of batteries 110. For example, theplurality of batteries 110 can be discharged in a safe manner. In anillustrative embodiment, the plurality of batteries 110 can store theirenergy in a remotely located capacitor. In alternative embodiments, anyother suitable method of discharging the plurality of batteries 110 canbe used. In such embodiments, the monitoring system 145 can cause thecontroller 115 to discharge the plurality of batteries 110 before thefire control system 150 causes a fire suppression system to be appliedto the area with the ESS 105 (e.g., water sprinklers in the room of theESS 105). By discharging the plurality of batteries 110 before the firesuppression system is applied, accidental discharge of those batteries(e.g., short circuiting the batteries 110 by water or foam) is avoided.In an illustrative embodiment, the plurality of batteries 110 can bedischarged before emergency personnel receive, thereby reducing oreliminating the risk of an arc flash for emergency personnel caused bythose batteries.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 145 is incommunication with the building management system 155. In anillustrative embodiment, the building management system 155 includesoccupancy sensors that determine the occupancy of various rooms orlocations. For example, the building management system 155 can determinethe location of people in and around the room with the ESS 105. In anillustrative embodiment, when the monitoring system 145 determines thatone or more of the plurality of batteries 110 have become dangerous(e.g., may be outgassing and/or may explode), the monitoring system cancommunicate to personnel the occupancy around the ESS 105. For example,the monitoring system 145 can communicate to emergency personnel (e.g.,via phones or computers of the emergency personnel, by raising alertsand alarms, etc.) the location of people in the room (or in nearbyrooms) with the ESS 105. Thus, the monitoring system 145 can establishbaseline characteristics for the plurality of batteries 110, monitorthose batteries, and issue alerts when one or more of the plurality ofbatteries deviate from their baseline characteristics.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring an energy storagesystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In alternativeembodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different operations may beperformed. Also, the use of a flow chart and arrows is not meant to belimiting with respect to the order of operations or flow of information.For example, in some embodiments, two or more operations may beperformed simultaneously.

In an operation 205, battery characteristics (e.g., measurement values)are received. For example, the monitoring system 145 receives anindication of the temperature, voltage, current, and any othercharacteristic desired to be monitored of the plurality of batteries 110from the controller 115 of the ESS 105. In an illustrative embodiment,the characteristics of the plurality of batteries 110 are received overtime. In some embodiments, the monitoring system 145 can continuouslymonitor the plurality of batteries 110 for the characteristics. In otherembodiments, the monitoring system 145 can periodically monitor theplurality of batteries 110. As an example, during charging of one ormore of the plurality of batteries 110, the monitoring system 145 cancontinuously or periodically monitor one or more characteristics (e.g.,current, temperature, etc.) of the one or more plurality of batteriesbeing charged. The monitoring system 145 can store the monitoredcharacteristics in a database (e.g., with a timestamp indicating thetime corresponding to the respective battery characteristic).

In an operation 210, baseline characteristics are determined. Forexample, baseline characteristics are determined based on the monitoredcharacteristics received in the operation 205. In an illustrativeembodiment, baseline characteristics can be determined based on the modeof the ESS 105. For example, baseline characteristics can be determinedfor the plurality of batteries 110 in a charging mode, in a dischargingmode, and in disconnected mode. For example, for each of the pluralityof batteries 110 (or stack of plurality of batteries), a baselinevoltage, current, and temperature are determined for each of thecharging mode, the discharging mode, and the disconnected mode.

Furthermore and as noted above, the monitoring system 145 can monitorthe characteristics over various cycles (e.g., various charging cycles).Thus, as the monitoring system 145 accumulates more data pertaining tothe monitored characteristics, the baseline characteristics can change.In some embodiments, the monitoring system 145 can take an average ofthe data pertaining to the monitored characteristics to obtain thebaseline characteristics. In other embodiments, the monitoring system145 can use other functions (e.g., assign weights, etc.) to determinethe baseline characteristics.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the monitoring system 145 can beconfigured to establish the baseline characteristics for a particularbattery (e.g., the plurality of batteries 110) when that particularbattery is first installed. As an example, when the particular batteryis first installed, the monitoring system 145 can be configured tomonitor a pre-determined number of charging (and/or other events) cyclesof that particular battery to establish the baseline characteristics. Inother embodiments, the monitoring system 145 can additionally beconfigured to update the established baseline characteristicsoccasionally during the lifetime of the particular battery. For example,the monitoring system 145 can update the established baselinecharacteristics after every predetermined number of charging cycles,after a predetermined period of time (e.g., every given number ofseconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc.), or anotherestablished criteria.

In an operation 215, current characteristics are monitored against thebaseline characteristics. In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoringsystem 145 continuously receives updated characteristics for each of theplurality of batteries 110. For example, the monitoring system 145receives current characteristics once per millisecond, once per second,once per minute, once per hour, etc. The monitoring system 145 candetermine whether the current characteristics are different from theestablished baseline characteristics for the appropriate mode. Forexample, if a particular battery of the plurality of batteries 110 ischarging, the received current temperature of the particular battery iscompared to the established baseline charging temperature for theparticular battery.

In some embodiments, the monitoring system 145 is configured to updatethe baseline characteristics simultaneously with monitoring the currentcharacteristics against already established baseline characteristics(e.g., the baseline characteristics before the update). In other words,the operation 210 and the operation 215 can be performed simultaneously.

In an operation 220, it is determined that an issue exists. For example,the current characteristics for a particular battery of the plurality ofbatteries 110 can begin to drift from the baseline characteristics. Inone example, the monitoring system 145 has established that the baselinetemperature of the particular battery of the plurality of batteries 110during charging is 105° F. The monitoring system 145 continuouslymonitors the temperature of the particular battery of the plurality ofbatteries 110 and determines that the temperature of the particularbattery rises over time from 105° F. to 120° F. Although the temperatureof the particular battery does not rise to the level of being dangerousor malfunctioning (e.g., >135° F.), the monitoring system 145 candetermine that the particular battery requires maintenance orreplacement because the particular battery has deviated from its normaloperating conditions (e.g., the established baseline characteristicsrelating to temperature during charging).

In an operation 225, the issue identified at the operation 220 ismitigated. The monitoring system 145 can determine which actions to takedepending upon the issue identified at the operation 220 and theseriousness of the issue. For example, if the monitoring system 145determines that there is a fire near the ESS 105, the monitoring system145 can cause the plurality of batteries 110 to be discharged. Inanother example, if the monitoring system 145 determines that aparticular battery of the plurality of batteries 110 is outgassing, themonitoring system 145 can cause the fan 135 to circulate the air aroundthe ESS 105 to remove the dangerous gas. In another example, themonitoring system 145 can identify to appropriate personnel which of theplurality of batteries 110 has an issue, what the issue is, and asuggested action (e.g., maintenance, replacement of one or more of theplurality of batteries, etc.).

Further, as part of issue mitigation, the monitoring system 145 canraise various alerts. In some embodiments, the monitoring system 145 cansend notifications to a user's mobile device, computer, or othercomputing or smart device. The monitoring system 145 can additionally oralternatively issue audible, tactile, and/or visual alarms. In someembodiments, the monitoring system 145 can also log the detected issuesin a log for future reference.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a livestock monitoring system 300 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. The livestock monitoringsystem 300 includes a gas sensor 305, a temperature sensor 310, ahumidity sensor 315, an electrical sensor 350, a climate control system320, a monitoring system 345, and a building management system 355. Inalternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different elementsmay be used.

In an illustrative embodiment, the livestock monitoring system 300 canbe used to monitor and control the conditions of a livestock house(e.g., a barn, not shown). For example, hundreds or thousands of animalscan be housed or penned within a building. Any suitable type of animalmay be housed, such as chickens, pigs, goats, emus, llamas, cows,camels, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 345can be used to monitor the status and health of the animals.

In an illustrative embodiment, the gas sensor 305 can be used to monitorone or more gases within or outside of the livestock house. For example,the gas sensor 305 can monitor for gases that are harmful to theanimals. If the gas sensor 305 detects a threshold level of dangerousgas, the monitoring system 345 can alert the appropriate personnel(e.g., via a text alert to a phone or a computer, via lights, viasounds, etc.). In an illustrative embodiment, the animals may emit gasesat different times during their maturation. The gases emitted from theanimals can be sensed by the gas sensor 305. Based on the gases detectedby the gas sensor 305, the monitoring system 345 can determine thematuration state of the animals. In an illustrative embodiment, theanimals may emit gases that are indicative of illness, disease,sickness, etc. In such an embodiment, the gas sensor 305 can monitor theair within the livestock house for such gases and therefore, detect orpredict sickness or disease amongst the animals. For example, based onthe detection or level of such gases, the monitoring system 345 candetermine that the animals are sick or are becoming sick.

In an illustrative embodiment, the gas sensor 305 can monitor thelivestock house over time and the monitoring system 345 can use theinformation from the gas sensor 305 to determine a baseline level of oneor more gases within the livestock house. For example, the gases withinthe livestock house may vary during the day. In such an embodiment, themonitoring system 345 can determine a baseline level of the gasesthroughout the day. The monitoring system 345 can continue to monitorthe gases within the livestock house to determine whether the gaseswithin the livestock house vary from the baseline amount. For example,if the gases deviate from the baseline amount at a particular time ofday greater than a threshold amount, then the monitoring system 345 candetermine that an issue exists (e.g., illness, sickness, disease, etc.).In such an example, the type of gas and the deviation from the baseline(e.g., the amount of deviation, whether the deviation is greater than orless than the baseline, etc.) can be used by the monitoring system 345to determine the type of illness, sickness, and/or disease within thelivestock population. For example, the deviation from the baseline canbe compared to a database of deviations corresponding to knownillnesses, sicknesses, diseases, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the temperature sensor 310 can be used tomonitor the temperature at one or more points in or around the livestockhouse. The monitoring system 345 can receive measurements from thetemperature sensor 310 to determine a baseline temperature in and aroundthe livestock house throughout a day, month, year, etc. The monitoringsystem 345 can continue to receive measurements and compare them to thebaseline. If a current temperature deviates from the baseline by athreshold amount, the monitoring system 345 can determine that an issueexists. In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 345 canmonitor the difference between an inside temperature and an outsidetemperature.

In an illustrative embodiment, the humidity sensor 315 can be used tomonitor the humidity at one or more points in or around the livestockhouse. The monitoring system 345 can receive measurements from thehumidity sensor 315 to determine a baseline humidity in and around thelivestock house throughout a day, month, year, etc. The monitoringsystem 345 can continue to receive measurements and compare them to thebaseline. If a current humidity deviates from the baseline by athreshold amount, the monitoring system 345 can determine that an issueexists.

In an illustrative embodiment, the electrical sensor 350 can monitor thepower consumed by one or more devices. For example, the electricalsensor 350 can include one or more ammeters, voltmeters, frequencysensors, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the electrical sensor 350can be used to monitor the power consumption of fans, lights, motors,etc. In such an embodiment, the monitoring system 345 can determine abaseline power consumption of the various devices being monitored. Ifthe power consumption of the one or more devices deviates from thebaseline amount, the monitoring system 345 can determine that an issueexists. Monitoring the various electrical components in a livestockhouse can help predict the failure of the devices, thereby avoidingfailures that can risk the lives of the animals. For example, a fan canbe used to circulate fresh air into the livestock house. If the amperageof the fan begins to increase compared to a baseline amount, then themonitoring system 345 can determine that the fan may have an issue. Themonitoring system 345 can notify appropriate personnel before the fanfails that the fan should be checked or replaced. The maintenance of thefan can be scheduled for a time when the fan can be shutdown with no orminimal effect on the livestock.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 345 monitors thestatus of the various conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, gas,etc.) against a baseline level. When the current condition value beginsto deviate from the baseline, the monitoring system 345 can determinethat an issue exists or will exist. For example, the monitoring system345 can determine that a piece of equipment will fail (or is beginningto fail), that the livestock are beginning to get sick or an illness isbeginning to spread, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring system 345 can monitorconditions and react to predictions. For example, if the monitoringsystem 345 determines that a first fan is about to fail, the monitoringsystem 345 can cause a second fan to be used in place of the first fan.In another example, the monitoring system 345 can receive weatherpredictions and operate the climate control system 320 to prepare forthe predictions. For example, if a received weather prediction indicatesa sudden cold snap, the monitoring system 345 can prepare the climatecontrol system 320 to heat the livestock house even if the currenttemperature is warm.

In an illustrative embodiment, multiple livestock houses can include aninstance of the livestock monitoring system 300. In such an embodiment,the multiple instances of the monitoring system 345 can communicate withone another to predict conditions in other livestock houses. Forexample, if a first instance of the monitoring system 345 of a firstlivestock house determines that the livestock are sick, the firstinstance of the monitoring system can transmit the determination to theother instances of the monitoring system 345. The other instances of themonitoring system 345 can change operations of their respectivelivestock houses to prevent the spreading of the sickness. For example,the airflow through the livestock houses can be changed such that airfrom the first livestock house is not blown into the other livestockhouses, thereby preventing or reducing the spread of disease. In anotherexample, the temperature of the other livestock houses can be altered todecrease the chance of spreading disease (e.g., by heating or coolingthe livestock house).

One aspect of some of the embodiments of the systems of FIGS. 1 and 3 isa monitoring system that determines a baseline characteristic, andmonitors the characteristic to determine whether the characteristic isdeviating from the baseline. If the characteristic does deviate from thebaseline, the monitoring system can determine that an issue exists eventhough the deviation is not large enough to set off an alarm. Inalternative embodiments, such a system can be adapted to be used in anysuitable system. That is, such a system is not limited to an ESS or alivestock house.

In an illustrative embodiment, a monitoring system can be used in anindustrial setting. For example, the monitoring system can determine abaseline level of various characteristics such as flow through a pipe,temperature of a process material, amperage of a motor, horsepower of amotor, voltage of a motor, vibration of a motor, or any other suitablecharacteristic. The monitoring system can monitor the characteristicsand determine which, if any, deviate from their baseline level. If oneor more of the characteristics begin to drift from the baseline level,then the monitoring system can take appropriate action, such as shuttingdown the process or device, notifying maintenance personnel, etc.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing device 400 in accordance withan illustrative embodiment. The computing device 400 includes a memory405, a processor 410, a transceiver 415, a user interface 420, and apower source 425. In alternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/ordifferent elements may be used. The computing device 400 can be anysuitable device described herein. For example, the computing device 400can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, aspecialized computing device, etc. The computing device 400 can be usedto implement one or more of the methods described herein.

In an illustrative embodiment, the memory 405 is an electronic holdingplace or storage for information so that the information can be accessedby the processor 410. The memory 405 can include, but is not limited to,any type of random access memory (RAM), any type of read only memory(ROM), any type of flash memory, etc. such as magnetic storage devices(e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks(e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), etc.), smartcards, flash memory devices, etc. The computing device 400 may have oneor more computer-readable media that use the same or a different memorymedia technology. The computing device 400 may have one or more drivesthat support the loading of a memory medium such as a CD, a DVD, a flashmemory card, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the processor 410 executes instructions.The instructions may be carried out by a special purpose computer, logiccircuits, or hardware circuits. The processor 410 may be implemented inhardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The term“execution” is, for example, the process of running an application orthe carrying out of the operation called for by an instruction. Theinstructions may be written using one or more programming language,scripting language, assembly language, etc. The processor 410 executesan instruction, meaning that it performs the operations called for bythat instruction. The processor 410 operably couples with the userinterface 420, the transceiver 415, the memory 405, etc. to receive, tosend, and to process information and to control the operations of thecomputing device 400. The processor 410 may retrieve a set ofinstructions from a permanent memory device such as a ROM device andcopy the instructions in an executable form to a temporary memory devicethat is generally some form of RAM. The computing device 400 may includea plurality of processors that use the same or a different processingtechnology. In an illustrative embodiment, the instructions may bestored in memory 405.

In an illustrative embodiment, the transceiver 415 is configured toreceive and/or transmit information. In some embodiments, thetransceiver 415 communicates information via a wired connection, such asan Ethernet connection, one or more twisted pair wires, coaxial cables,fiber optic cables, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver 415communicates information via a wireless connection using microwaves,infrared waves, radio waves, spread spectrum technologies, satellites,etc. The transceiver 415 can be configured to communicate with anotherdevice using cellular networks, local area networks, wide area networks,the Internet, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements ofthe computing device 400 communicate via wired or wirelesscommunications. In some embodiments, the transceiver 415 provides aninterface for presenting information from the computing device 400 toexternal systems, users, or memory. For example, the transceiver 415 mayinclude an interface to a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the transceiver 415 may also includealarm/indicator lights, a network interface, a disk drive, a computermemory device, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the transceiver 415can receive information from external systems, users, memory, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the user interface 420 is configured toreceive and/or provide information from/to a user. The user interface420 can be any suitable user interface. The user interface 420 can be aninterface for receiving user input and/or machine instructions for entryinto the computing device 400. The user interface 420 may use variousinput technologies including, but not limited to, a keyboard, a stylusand/or touch screen, a mouse, a track ball, a keypad, a microphone,voice recognition, motion recognition, disk drives, remote controllers,input ports, one or more buttons, dials, joysticks, etc. to allow anexternal source, such as a user, to enter information into the computingdevice 400. The user interface 420 can be used to navigate menus, adjustoptions, adjust settings, adjust display, etc.

The user interface 420 can be configured to provide an interface forpresenting information from the computing device 400 to externalsystems, users, memory, etc. For example, the user interface 420 caninclude an interface for a display, a printer, a speaker,alarm/indicator lights, a network interface, a disk drive, a computermemory device, etc. The user interface 420 can include a color display,a cathode-ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, the power source 425 is configured toprovide electrical power to one or more elements of the computing device400. In some embodiments, the power source 425 includes an alternatingpower source, such as available line voltage (e.g., 120 Voltsalternating current at 60 Hertz in the United States). The power source425 can include one or more transformers, rectifiers, etc. to convertelectrical power into power usable by the one or more elements of thecomputing device 400, such as 1.5 Volts, 8 Volts, 12 Volts, 24 Volts,etc. The power source 425 can include one or more batteries.

In an illustrative embodiment, any of the operations described hereincan be implemented at least in part as computer-readable instructionsstored on a computer-readable memory. Upon execution of thecomputer-readable instructions by a processor, the computer-readableinstructions can cause a node to perform the operations.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Further, unlessotherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,”“substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed,and modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: an energy storage systemcomprising a plurality of batteries; and a monitoring system operablycoupled to the energy storage system and configured to: receive a firstmeasurement corresponding to a characteristic from at least one of theplurality of batteries; determine a baseline from the first measurement;receive a second measurement from the at least one of the plurality ofbatteries; compare the second measurement with the baseline to identifyan issue with the at least one of the plurality of batteries; and inresponse to the identified issue, perform a remediation action.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors associatedwith the plurality of batteries to monitor the characteristic of each ofthe plurality of batteries, and wherein the monitoring system receivesthe first measurement and the second measurement from the plurality ofsensors.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a climate controlsystem in operable association with the energy storage system and themonitoring system, wherein the climate control system comprises a fanconfigured to circulate air around the energy storage system uponreceiving a notification from the monitoring system.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of batteries isconfigured to be operable in a plurality of modes, and wherein themonitoring system is configured to determine the baseline for each ofthe plurality of modes for the characteristic.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least one of a charging modein which the at least one of the plurality of batteries is connected toa power source, a discharging mode in which the at least one of theplurality of batteries is connected to a load, and a disconnected modein which the at least one of the plurality of batteries is disconnectedfrom the power source and the load.
 6. The system of claim 4, whereinthe monitoring system receives the first measurement corresponding tothe characteristic for a plurality of cycles for each of the pluralityof nodes, and wherein the monitoring system determines the baseline fromthe first measurement of each of the plurality of cycles.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the monitoring system averages the first measurementfrom each of the plurality of cycles to obtain the baseline.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the remediation action comprises raising analert, wherein the monitoring system raises the alert upon adetermination that the second measurement has deviated from the baselineby a predetermined threshold, and wherein the alert comprises at leastone of turning on an alarm and sending a notification to a user.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the remediation action comprises circulatingair over the at least one of the plurality of batteries, and wherein themonitoring system activates a fan operably coupled to the monitoringsystem and the energy storage system to circulate the air over the atleast one of the plurality of batteries upon a determination that thesecond measurement has deviated from the baseline by a predeterminedthreshold.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is atleast one of temperature, current, voltage, and gas vented from theplurality of batteries.
 11. A method comprising: receiving, by amonitoring system, a plurality of first measurements corresponding to acharacteristic from each of a plurality of batteries; determining, bythe monitoring system, a baseline from the plurality of firstmeasurements for the characteristic for each of the plurality ofbatteries; receiving, by the monitoring system, a second measurementcorresponding to the characteristic from each of the plurality ofbatteries; comparing, by the monitoring system, the second measurementwith the baseline; identifying, by the monitoring system, an issue withone or more of the plurality of batteries based upon the comparison; andtaking, by the monitoring system, a remediation action, to address theissue.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the issue is overheating ofone or more of the plurality of batteries, and wherein taking theremediation action upon detecting the overheating comprises: activating,by the monitoring system, a fan that is operably coupled to theplurality of batteries, for circulating air over the one or more of theplurality of batteries; receiving, by the monitoring system, additionalmeasurements from the one or more of the plurality of batteries;comparing, by the monitoring system, the additional measurements withthe baseline; and continuing activation of the fan, by the monitoringsystem, for circulating the air over the one or more of the plurality ofbatteries until a difference between the additional measurements and thebaseline falls within a pre-determined threshold.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the characteristic is temperature and the secondmeasurement is a temperature value, and detecting the overheatingcomprises: determining, by the monitoring system, based upon thecomparison of the temperature value with the baseline that thetemperature value exceeds the baseline by a pre-determined value. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the issue is a fire in a vicinity of theplurality of batteries, and wherein taking the remediation action upondetecting the fire comprises: communicating, by the monitoring system,with a controller operably connected to the plurality of batteries forcausing the plurality of batteries to be discharged; and activating, bythe monitoring system, a fire mitigation system, to control the fire.15. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of batteriesis configured to operate in a plurality of modes, and wherein themonitoring system determines the baseline for the characteristic foreach of the plurality of modes.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereindetermining the baseline for each of the plurality of modes comprises:receiving, by the monitoring system, the plurality of first measurementsover a plurality of cycles for each of the plurality of modes, whereinone of the plurality of first measurements is received in each of theplurality of cycles; and averaging, by the monitoring system, theplurality of first measurements for obtaining the baseline.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the plurality of modes comprise a chargingmode and a discharging mode, and wherein the plurality of cyclescomprises a plurality of charging cycles in the charging mode and aplurality of discharging cycles in the discharging mode.
 18. Amonitoring system comprising: a memory configured to store a pluralityof baseline values; and a processor operably connected to the memory andconfigured to: receive a plurality of first measurement valuescorresponding to a characteristic from at least one of the plurality ofbatteries; determine a baseline value from the plurality of firstmeasurement values; store the baseline value in the memory; receive asecond measurement value from the at least one of the plurality ofbatteries; compare the second measurement value with the baseline valueto identify an issue with the at least one of the plurality ofbatteries; and in response to the identified issue, perform aremediation action.
 19. The monitoring system of claim 18, wherein theprocessor is further configured to update the baseline valueperiodically.
 20. The monitoring system of claim 18, wherein theprocessor is configured to activate one or more remediation systemsoperably coupled to the monitoring system as part of the remediationaction.